Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Edward Gatenby was born at Gateshead, County Durham in 1894, one of 8 children of whom only 6 survived, he was the youngest of 2 sons and had 4 sisters. His father John Gatenby of Felling Shore, Gateshead was born in 1846, he married in the district of Bishop Auckland in 1872 to Margaret Armstrong of Newcastle-upon-Tyne born 1854. Employed at the works as an engine driver he and his family were living at Holly Street, Felling in 1881, by 1891 they had moved to Heworth Street, eldest son Samuel (15) was a plumber’s apprentice. Edwards father died in 1900 when he was 6 years old, his mother moved to Davidson Street, Felling, her only means of support was Samuel who was now a chemical plumber, daughters Alice (19), Ethel (13) and Maggie (11) were at home. By 1911 all her daughters were married only Samuel and Edward were still living at home, both employed at the colliery as a stone-man and a screener respectively. Their mother Margaret Gatenby nee Armstrong died in 1913.
On the outbreak of war Edward Gatenby enlisted at Gateshead, assigned as Private 3346 1st/9th Durham Light Infantry later transferred as Private 6042 Durham Light Infantry 1st/6th Battalion. The volunteers were divided into four companies ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ and were trained at Boldon, Ravensworth and Bensham for full time active service overseas. The battalion left Newcastle-upon-Tyne railway station April 19th 1915 bound for France. Within days of their arrival they were fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium, suffering heavy casualties from shelling and gas attacks at Frizenberg ridge and front line trenches. As part of the 151st Brigade, 50th Northumberland Division they remained on the Ypres salient and in the trenches at Armentiers, it was here that Private Gatenby joined them in January 1916 until August 1916 when they were moved south to the Somme in September 1916. Until September 15th the British and French in the area of High Wood had found it impossible to arrange co-ordinated attacks and fought many small actions rather than attacks until they captured the wood during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, September 15th-22nd 1916.
Private 6042 Edward Gatsby Durham Light Infantry was wounded in action and died September 21st 1916 of the wounds he sustained and interred at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France, grave 1. F. 32. He was 22 years old and single.
All monies due to him were divided equally amongst his siblings Samuel, Alice (Liddle), Martha (White), Ethel (Smith) and Margaret (Clark). Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Heslop's Local Advertiser reports the death of:
"Private Edward Gatenby, D.L.I., died of wounds received in action, 21st Sept., aged 22 years. Son of the late John and Margaret Gatenby of Felling."
The CWGC entry has him listed as "J. Gatenby", Service Number 6042 on all other records he is Edward Gatenby
Edward Gatenby is remembered at Felling on F32.23
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 256
